Understanding US College Women's Self-Reported Experiences Resisting Sexual Assault: A Qualitative Analysis

Sexual assault (SA) is a significant global public health problem. In the United States, one in five college women experiences SA, and alcohol and cannabis are known risk factors. Given the prevalence and impact of SA, this study aims to understand college women's experiences of risk perception and resistance tactics, particularly when substances are involved. College women (n = 332) completed an online survey. They were asked if they had ever been at risk of being sexually assaulted. If they endorsed prior SA risk, they completed open-ended questions to describe the situation, their actions, and any involvement of substances. Over half of the women reported being at risk for and resisting SA. Among women who reported a one single incident (n = 125), content analysis revealed that women perceived risk due to perpetrator behaviors (76%; e.g. unwanted touching, pressure), environmental context (41.6%; e.g. isolation, substance presence), and internal cues (28.8%; e.g. discomfort, prior experiences). Nearly a third of women (31.3%) reported using multiple tactics to resist SA, with the most common resistance tactic being non-forceful physical means (48%; e.g. fleeing). Alcohol and/or cannabis use was involved in 52.4% of situations, most commonly alcohol. Risk factors and resistance tactics varied across substance use categories. Findings highlight that a significant percentage of women experience SA risk and resist, even in situations involving substances. Further, findings suggest that women who reported alcohol or cannabis use in a situation or themselves varied in what risks they noticed and how they resisted.